CLAREMORE, Okla. – In a year and season that will be overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, Rogers State Softball senior Mikayla Waggnor quietly had one of the best seasons for the Hillcats in the arguably the best year in program history, certainly during the NCAA era.

Like many seniors, Waggnor won’t get to finish her senior year, but her impact on the shortened season helped propel the Hillcats to new heights as she leaves a lasting impact on the softball program and Rogers State. The Hillcats earned the program’s first top 25 ranking in the NCAA era and climbed as high as No. 11, the highest ranking for any RSU program during the NCAA era. The Hillcats set multiple school records and defeated three top 25 ranked opponents to push RSU Softball to the national spotlight.

“Mikayla’s quiet demeanor often does not reflect the fierce competitor that exists inside her,” said head coach Andrea Vaughan. “She is passionate about winning and she leads by example. She is one of the hardest working athletes I have ever coached and has been a staple for our program in the infield.”

Waggnor was a big part of the offensive output for the Hillcats, hitting .328 with two homeruns, and 14 runs scored. The infielder was the second-leading hitter for the Hillcats. She also had 11 of the Hillcats’ NCAA-leading 141 walks on the season. However, the start to an impressive senior campaign was cut short on March 12, as the NCAA and later the MIAA, announced the cancelation of spring championships and games.

Despite only playing three years for the Hillcats and losing half of a season, the Owasso native will close her RSU career with a .300 batting average and 15 home runs, which is ninth all time at RSU. She is 12th on the all-time hit list (118), 11th in doubles (22) and ninth in runs (80).

A member of the Creek Tribe, Waggnor came to RSU as a highly-talented sophomore prospect in Andrea Vaughan’s first recruiting class. Waggnor, who used boxing as a cross training throughout her career, joined the Red and Navy after leading Butler Community College to a national championship in 2016.

She had a strong first season for the Hillcats, hitting .308 in her sophomore season with 11 doubles, a triple and four homeruns.

However, Waggnor had to battle a lot of adversity with an ACL injury to return to the softball diamond, as her junior season came to an abrupt end in the fifth game of the season. After nearly a year of rehab, Waggnor worked her way back to the starting lineup, starting all 56 games, while also being a leader on and off the field for her teammates.

As a redshirt junior, she battled back from the injury to double her homerun total from two years prior, hitting eight in 2019. She also finished with 47 hits, 24 RBIs and had 33 runs scored. Waggnor finished the year ranking in the top three for the Hillcats in 12 of the 13 major hitting statistical categories.

“She is a great teammate, loved by all and is always willing to sacrifice for the good of the group,” added Vaughan. “She truly embodies what it means to be a college athlete and I am grateful for the time we had with her and feel honored to have coached her.”

Away from the softball diamond, Waggnor volunteered throughout her collegiate career for the Tulsa Food Bank.

Waggnor is also set to graduate in May with a degree in Business Management from Rogers State.